Report: 51% of Indians use untranslatable words and phrases from different languages

Indian urbanites are increasingly incorporating regional language phrases in daily conversations. The report by Duolingo in collaboration with YouGov shows that 51% of urban Indians use such phrases in love language, humor, or wit, which cannot be fully translated into English.

A survey revealed that 68% of urban Indians believe that certain phrases or words in a language convey nuanced meanings that English cannot fully capture. Additionally, 69% admitted to using language-specific phrases to articulate emotions or engage with family and friends. 51% use these expressions for terms of endearment or to inject humor into interactions.

To celebrate linguistic diversity, Duolingo launched the ‘#EnglishMeinNahiJamta’ campaign on Instagram. Users shared treasured words from their dialects that lose their magic when translated into English. Karandeep Singh Kapany, Regional Marketing Director at Duolingo, emphasized the importance of language as an expression of culture, emotion, and identity in the campaign launch.

“At Duolingo, we understand that languages are more than just communication tools – they’re expressions of culture, emotion, and identity,” said Karandeep Singh Kapany, Regional Marketing Director, Duolingo. He added, “Our ‘#EnglishMeinNahiJamta’ campaign celebrates this beauty by highlighting words that defy translation and reflect a growing appreciation for linguistic diversity. Through initiatives like this, we empower individuals to embrace expression, enrich lives, and foster global connections.”